HB 929 – North Carolina Medical Cannabis Act

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Kelly Alexander, Jr. (D-Mecklenburg); Rep. Pricey Harrison (D-Guilford); Rep. Carla Cunningham (D-Mecklenburg); Rep. Becky Carney (D-Mecklenburg)

 

 

 

Summary

This bill:

  • Defines “medical use of cannabis” as the acquisition, possession, use, internal possession, delivery, transfer, or transportation of cannabis or paraphernalia relating to the administration of cannabis to treat or alleviate a qualified patient’s medical condition or symptoms associated with the medical condition or its treatment.
  • Defines “qualified patient” as a person who has been diagnosed by a physician as having a debilitating medical condition.
  • Defines “written certification” as a statement in a patient’s medical records or a statement signed by a health care provider with whom the patient has a bona fide health care provider-patient relationship indicating that, in the health care provider’s professional opinion, the patient has a medical condition that may benefit from the medical use of cannabis and the potential health benefits of the medical use of cannabis would likely outweigh the health risks for the patient.
  • States that a qualified patient will not be subject to arrest or penalty for the possession or purchase of cannabis for medical use if the quantity of usable cannabis possessed or purchased does not exceed an adequate supply as determined by the qualified patient’s physician and as long as the patient is in possession of a written certification from a physician.
  • Protects a health care provider from being subject to arrest, penalty, or disciplinary action by the NC Medical Board for either of the following: (1) advising a patient about the risks and benefits of the medical use of cannabis or that the patient may benefit from the medical use of cannabis if, in the physician’s medical judgment, the potential benefits of the medical use of cannabis would likely outweigh the health risks for that patient, or (2) providing the patient with written certification, based upon the physician’s assessment of the patient’s medical history and current medical condition, that the potential benefits of the medical use of cannabis would likely outweigh the health risks for that patient.
  • Requires the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to adopt rules for the licensing of persons for the cultivation of medical cannabis and the manufacturing of medical cannabis products.
  • Prohibits using or consuming medical cannabis while driving a motor vehicle or riding as a passenger in a motor vehicle.
  • Prohibits the consumption of medical cannabis or offering to another medical cannabis in public places.
  • Prohibits the possession and consumption of medical cannabis by any person under 18 years of age.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/11/2021